Ground fault receptacle with unitary support of gfci module and switching mechanism

Abstract

An electrical receptacle assembly affording ground fault protection includes a housing containing fixed contacts supported by socket connector subassemblies. A support plate mounts an electronics/magnetics module and operating mechanism sub-assembly including a pivotal, movable contact carrying arm, a latch, a reset button and a trip solenoid. The reset button positions the latch to detain the arm with the contacts in circuit completing relation. On a ground fault, the module effectuates energization of the solenoid to unlatch the arm which moves to separate the contacts.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: 
     
       1. In an electrical receptacle having a base and cover, wherein at least one socket means is incorporated in the base and accessible through a front wall thereof for reception of an appliance cord plug, and wherein stationary contacts electrically connected to the socket means are mounted in the base, a ground fault circuit interrupter assembly comprising, in combination: A. a support plate having means for cooperating with the base in positionally mounting said plate in the base proximate its junction with the cover, said plate having a front surface for disposition in spaced, parallel relation to the front wall of the base and a rear surface;   B. a ground fault circuit interrupter module including a differential current transformer having a wound toroidal core and a pair of conductor segments extending through the central aperture of said core, a circuit board, electronic components mounted on said board in electrical interconnection, and leads connected between said transformer and said circuit board;   C. first means integrally formed with said plate in outstanding relation with its rear surface providing a cavity accommodating said transformer;   D. second means integrally formed with said plate in outstanding relation with its rear surface supporting said board in spaced, parallel relation with said rear surface;   E. a pair of spaced pedestals integrally formed with said plate in outstanding relation with its front surface;   F. a mounting block secured on said pedestals; and   G. a switch operating mechanism including an arm mounted by said block for movement between a closed circuit position and an open circuit position, movable contacts carried by said arm, leads connecting said movable contacts to said conductor segments, a latch detaining said arm in its closed circuit position, and a solenoid mounted by said block and electrically connected to said circuit board, said solenoid having a plunger arranged to engage said latch and release said arm for movement to its open circuit position;   
     
     
       1.  whereby the receptacle is capable of being tested for operability in affording ground fault protection prior to positionally mounting said assembly in said base. 
     
     
       2. The assembly defined in claim 1, wherein said module further includes a second transformer having a wound toroidal core through which said conductor segments extend, and said assembly further comprises third means integrally formed with said plate in outstanding relation with its rear surface providing an additional cavity accommodating said second transformer. 
     
     
       3. The assembly defined in claim 2, wherein said second means includes a plurality of upright posts on which said circuit board is seated. 
     
     
       4. The assembly defined in claim 3, wherein said second means further includes at least one ledge on which rests an edge portion of said circuit board. 
     
     
       5. The assembly defined in claim 3, wherein at least one of said posts is formed having a recessed shoulder on which said circuit board is seated, a terminal neck portion extending through an opening in said circuit board, and a central bore in said neck portion, said assembly further including a headed pin fastener frictionally engaged in said bore to retain said circuit board in position. 
     
     
       6. The assembly defined in claim 1, wherein said switch operating mechanism further includes a reset operator movably mounted by said block, said operator controlling said latch to latchably engage said arm for detention in its closed circuit position. 
     
     
       7. The assembly defined in claim 6, wherein said latch is pivotally mounted by said reset operator. 
     
     
       8. The assembly defined in claim 7, wherein said switch operating mechanism further includes a first spring biasing said arm toward its open circuit position, and a second spring biasing said arm toward its closed circuit position. 
     
     
       9. The assembly defined in claim 8, wherein said second spring is positioned to act on said reset operator to retain said arm in its closed circuit position via said latch. 
     
     
       10. The assembly defined in claim 1, which further includes normally open test switch contacts mounted by said block and electrically connected in a manner to simulate, upon closure of said test switch contacts, a ground fault condition to which the ground fault interrupter assembly should respond.